Reversible Upper Body Garment with Hidden Compartments

ABSTRACT

A non-gender specific article of clothing worn on the upper body of a human that is reversible, comprised in part of eco-friendly material, and has hidden compartments designed for the secure storage of medical devices or personal items. The article is comprised of two layers of partially recycled fabric that are affixed in a manner that allows either side of the garment to be worn facing outward or in direct contact with the body. The layers are affixed at specific attachment points and by seams that create portions in between the layers that may be accessed from any location across the top perimeter edges of the garment including the neckline and armholes. The portions are engineered to limit movement of items stowed as well as permit transfer of items from one portion to another without removing the items from the article of clothing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S Provisional Application No. 63/071,417. This application was filed on Aug. 28, 2020 by Mary Voorhees, customer no. 173847. The correspondence address for this application is 6538 Bluewaters Drive, Flowery Branch, Ga., 30542.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of wearing apparel. Particularly, this invention serves as a multi-purpose, multi-gender upper body garment that has hidden compartments, is reversible, and is constructed with eco-friendly fabric.

The everyday activities of modern humans have become increasingly more diverse and demanding over the last decade. Multiple personal items are necessary for individuals to effectively meet these demands, especially people who require medical devices for medical monitoring. Additionally, there is a demand for clothing to have multiple attributes, such as being constructed with environmentally friendly and sustainable materials and have more than one wearing option. These realities combined have necessitated the need for humans to be increasingly mobile, prepared, earth-friendly and accommodated, regardless of medical needs or gender. Bags or purses are not always practical or safe and do not meet all of these requirements. Although other garments can perform some of these functions in limited ways, there is a need for a garment that can not only meet all of these needs, but to do so more effectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide an eco-friendly, upper body garment that is reversible, specifically meaning either side facing outward or in direct contact with the wearer's body, while also providing the wearer the ability to safely and securely store medical devices, such as an insulin pump, or other personal items in hidden compartments.

It is an additional object of this invention that these items are securely held in the hidden compartments that are created in between the two layers, by seam placement, and by the composition and qualities of the fabric. Each layer is comprised of the same fabric. Fabric used in the invention is composed of 78% sustainably recycled polyamide and 22% elastane. Future embodiments of the invention could include other sustainable fabrics with comparable characteristics, and it is intended that these additions be included within the scope of the present invention and protected by the accompanying claims.

It is further an object of this invention to allow for easy access, removal and placement of medical devices through the completely open seam construction across the entire neckline and along arm holes. Items can also be transferred from one compartment to another within the garment without having to remove the item completely.

It is the final object of the invention to combine all of these attributes into one article of clothing that accommodates the wants and needs of people, regardless of the activity or lifestyle choices. The construction style of the garment is flat with no breast cup molding or bottom band to support breasts, therefore can accommodate multiple genders regardless of shape, due to the specific stretch and compression features of the fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of one possible embodiment of the garment invention as well as explanation of construction methods are detailed below and referenced in the attached drawings. The components of the illustrations are not to scale, with the emphasis instead on clearly describing the invention and understanding the claims herein. In exemplary aspect of the invention, methods of sewing with commercial sewing machines are used, by not intended to limit the invention or future designs to such methods. Other modern affixing technologies could be utilized in other variations of this invention and it is the purpose of the inventor that this claim would include any future technologies used in the creation of the garment.

The figures and the statements in which each correspond are as follows:

FIG. 1 offers a rendering of the 4 pieces of fabric that vastly make up the garment invention.

FIG. 2 demonstrates the method in which each layer is constructed, using the 4 pieces of fabric in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 represents the alignment and attachment process of the two identical, single layers which are created from the process demonstrated in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 represents the front view of the garment invention whereas the two layers are affixed by a bottom perimeter edge hem, attachment points, and front vertical seams, creating the three hidden compartments across the front and back of the garment.

FIG. 5 represents the back view of the garment invention and further demonstrates the attachment points for the two layers.

FIG. 6 is a rendering of the front view of the completed garment invention and identifies the color difference in the exterior and interior views of the garment.

FIG. 7 is a rendering of the back view of the completed garment invention and identifies the color difference in the exterior and interior views of the garment.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a human wearing the garment and securing an insulin pump in the hidden compartment under the left arm hole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following rhetoric is purposed to thoroughly describe the present garment invention. The illustrated examples of the present invention depict one embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is a cropped-style tank top with a racer-back, however this rendering is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Different styles of the invention, as well as any differing methods necessary to produce future styles, are intended to also be included and protected in the scope of this claim.

In exemplary form, this is an upper body garment with large, hidden compartments for a wearer to secure personal items, especially medical devices that require a stable position to function properly. The garment invention also provides the ability to utilize both sides of the garment, while allowing the wearer to remain confident of the positive environmental impact of the garment. Further, the design of the upper body garment lacks any gender specific attributes and is appropriate for multiple genders.

In FIG. 1 , the basic fabric elements of the garment are presented to understand the assembly and process in which the hidden compartments are created and accessed. The pieces are identified as: 1 a, which is a front piece of the garment; 2 a, which is the corresponding back piece to 1 a; 3 b which is a front piece of the garment; and 4 b, which is the corresponding back piece to 3 b. It is important to note that the four pieces: 1 a, 2 a, 3 b, and 4 b are assembled, as described in detail in the following claim, into an upper body garment that is one, flat piece of fabric across the front and back with no additional fabric pieces necessary to function as supportive bands, (as found in prior inventions that are intended for female wearers with breasts), pocket attachments, or closure devices (such as zippers). This feature renders the garment invention appropriate for multiple genders as it conforms to the shape of any wearer.

Critical to the effectiveness and unique attributes of the hidden compartments is the fabric composition in conjunction with the assembly of the four pieces in FIG. 1 . The elasticity and compression achieved by the ratio of recycled polyamide and elastane renders the product as a garment suitable for wearing with either side facing outwards or either side facing inward, suitable for direct skin contact. Additionally, the engineered pattern in conjunction with this fabric, creates spaces that secure medical devices in any location in between the two layers with minimal risk of the devices shifting inside of the compartments. Again, this is the result of the compression achieved as these 4 pieces: 1 a, 2 a, 3 b, and 4 b are systematically affixed to one another. This is a feature critical to ensure the secure storage and proper function of such small devices such as an insulin pump and corrects issues found in prior similar inventions.

The reversibility of the garment is also achieved in the composition of the fabric in relation to the assembly of each piece shown in FIG. 1 . Pieces identified as 1 a, 2 a, 3 b, and 4 b are each of the same fabric (the aforementioned recycled polyamide and elastane) and only vary in color. Pieces denoted with the letter “a” would be considered of the same color and pieces denoted with the letter “b” would be representative of a color, different than color “a”. This color distinction contributes to the reversibility of the garment invention as will be later described in this claim.

The 4 individual pieces of fabric shown in FIG. 1 are selectively attached along perimeter edges to create 2 individual, single layer upper body garments. FIG. 2 demonstrates the affixation of front piece 1 a and back piece 2 a. The process illustrated in FIG. 2 is identical for affixing pieces 3 b to 4 b (ref. FIG. 1 ); but for the purpose of understanding, the pieces are identified as 1 a and 2 a in this figure. Perimeter edges 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, and 203 are finished with a binding of the same fabric in composition and color of the respective pieces. In other potential variations of this invention, perimeter edges with binding or some other method of finishing raw perimeter edges along necklines and armholes could be present. In this exemplary embodiment of the garment, the shoulder straps, identified as 104 and 105 are affixed to the opposing shoulder straps, identified as 204 and 205. Other perimeter edges to be affixed are 106 to 206 and 107 to 207 to create the side seams of the single layer. Bottom perimeter edges 108 and 208 remain unfinished at this phase of assembly. This assembly process explained in FIG. 2 is completed again to affix pieces 3 b and 4 b (ref. FIG. 1 ) and results in 2, single layer, upper body garments that are exact in every measurement. The only variation in the two assembled, single layer garments is color, represented by the letters “a” and “b.” These two, single layer upper body garments in which the construction is demonstrated in FIG. 2 will be referred to as pieces 1 a/2 a and 3 b/4 b for the remainder of this claim.

FIG. 3 demonstrates the phase of assembly when the two, single layer garments 1 a/2 a and 3 b/4 b are fitted together. Order is not significant; however, FIG. 3 depicts 3 b/4 b inserted into 1 a/2 a for demonstrative purposes. All perimeter edges are matched exactly, front side of garment (Represented in FIG. 1 as 1 a) adjacent to front side of garment (represented in FIG. 1 as 3 b) and back side of garment (represented in FIG. 1 as 2 a) adjacent to back side of garment (represented by FIG. 1 as 4 b.).

FIG. 4 represents the final phases of construction whereas the single layers 1 a/2 a and 3 b/4 b are permanently attached to create the garment invention. The elements unique to this exemplary upper body garment invention are further revealed in FIG. 4 . The single layers are affixed by 6 attachment points, 2 vertical seams that attach the adjoining layers on the front of the garment, and 1 adjoining bottom hem around the lowest perimeter edge of the entire garment. The attachment points are identified in FIGS. 4 as 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 406. These points are each created with 6, 1 cm seams that hold the adjacent single layers in alignment and together. This design aspect is unique to this invention as it creates completely unattached perimeter edges between the single layers at the neckline (identified as 413) and armholes (identified as 414 and 415) across the front of the garment. The single layers are further aligned and attached by conjoining the bottom perimeter edges of the two single layers completely around the circumference of the garment with a reinforced bottom hem and indicated by 412 in FIG. 4 . Specifically, this bottom perimeter edge (412) is created by affixing the corresponding bottom perimeter edges of single layers 1 a/2 a and 3 b/4 b (ref. FIG. 2 ). The single layers are further aligned and attached by 2 vertical seams, identified in FIGS. 4 as 407 and 408. Seams 407 and 408 connect the adjacent single layers. Seams 407 and 408 are perpendicular to bottom perimeter edge 412 and range from the mid front region of the garment to the bottom perimeter edge 412. In exemplary aspects, the length of the seams is 11 cm and is sewn 11 cm from the side seams of the garment (ref. FIG. 2 , attached perimeter edges 106/206 and 107/207) on a garment sized as a United States size “small.” However, these measurements are not intended to limit the scope of this claim by this seam length and placement. Rather, the inventor has contemplated that the specific design of the seam, including length and placement, could vary dependent on size or style of the invented garment. The design of seams 407 and 408 are fundamental to the unique aspects of this invention as they create hidden compartments in between the two layers of fabric, as indicated by numbers 409, 410, and 411 in FIG. 4 . These compartments can be easily accessed across the entire front neckline 413 and through either the right or the left armhole, 414 and 415. These compartments are not limited in size by side seams, granting access to the entire area of space in between the layers of fabric across the front and back of the garment (ultimately merging areas 409 and 411 across the back of the garment as there is no seam to distinguish one area from the other). This specifically permits a wide range of space for the delicate tubing found in insulin pumps to be arranged in such a manner as to not hinder efficacy. Additionally, items stowed inside the hidden compartments 409, 410, and 411 can easily be transferred from one compartment to another without being completely removed, as vertical seams 407 and 408 do not reach the neckline 413. This feature ensures the items remain private and allow any transfers to be discreet. Prior inventions are limited in length, location, and closure methods of access points across the garment, size of specific hidden compartment areas, and force removal of items in order to transfer items to a different location on the garment. Exemplary aspects rendered in FIG. 4 demonstrate how this garment invention offers unique solutions to the aforementioned issues.

FIG. 5 is the back view of the completed garment invention. The 6 attachment points 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 406 (ref. FIG.4) are visible from the back view as noted. The bottom perimeter edge, 412 (ref. FIG.4) is visible from this view and completely affixed around the entire circumference of the garment as previously stated. Indicated in FIG. 5 are hidden compartment areas 409 and 411 (ref. FIG.4) which extend from the front of the garment. As apparent in the illustration, there is no division or separating seams along the side or across the back of the garment invention. Ultimately this creates an inherent merger of these two areas (409 and 411) enabling items to be concealed and secured across the entire back of the garment if chosen by the wearer. This aspect of design is unique to this invention and addresses the issue of previous inventions with confined pockets or spaces. Similar to the front neckline and armholes demonstrated in FIG. 4 , perimeter edges 501, 502 and 503 are completely open in between the illustrated attachment points 401 and 404, 402 and 403, and 405 and 406. This allows complete access to the interior and adjacent fabric surfaces of the garment, further contributing to the functionality of the invention and its unique design.

FIG. 6 is a completed front view of the garment invention with all elements previously described. It is included in this claim to demonstrate the color differentiation between the two single layers in the finished product. 1 a/2 a reveals the layer facing outward and would be reflective of color a in the exemplary drawing. 3 b/4 b indicates the layer facing inward and would be reflective of color b in this exemplary drawing (ref. FIG. 3 ). The garment could be reversed to reflect the layer identified as 3 b/4 b to be facing outward and layer 1 a/2 a facing inward.

FIG. 7 is a complete back view of the garment invention. As stated in the explanation of FIG. 6 , the intent of inclusion is to demonstrate the color differentiation between the two layers. 1 a/2 a reveals the single layer that is facing outward and reflective of color a and 3 b/4 b indicates the layer facing inward and reflective of color b.

FIG. 8 demonstrates a human wearing the upper body garment invention. As illustrated, the wearer is securing an insulin pump (801) inside hidden compartment 411 (ref. FIG. 4 ). 802 demonstrates the tubing which connects the pump to the wearer, which is critical for the proper function of the medical device. Further, FIG. 8 demonstrates the necessity of the many critical aspects of the exemplary invention described in this claim (i.e., the compression nature of the identical single layers, the ease and variety of accessibility of the hidden compartments and the non-restrictive size of the stated areas). The inclusion of FIG. 8 is intended to provide one use of the invention, not to limit or exclude any other use or function of the invention describe within this claim.

Aspects of this complete disclosure within the present claim are intended to be illustrative, not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may develop alternative methods of implementing the described attributes to the present invention while not departing from the scope of stated invention. 

1. An upper body garment comprising: a first front portion that covers the chest of the wearer; a first back portion connected to the said first front portion comprising a single layer upper body garment; a second front portion that covers the chest of the wearer and is the exact size and composition of the aforementioned first front portion; a second back portion that is the exact size and composition of the aforementioned first back portion and connected to the said second front portion comprising a second, single layer upper body garment that is subsequently attached in a manner that all perimeter edges of the first upper body garment and the second upper body garment are aligned; wherein, the two, single layer garments are affixed along the entire circumference of the adjacent lower perimeter edges hence creating one garment; wherein, the two layers are further affixed at various attachment points on garment in a manner that holds the two layers in alignment; wherein, two vertical seams, each perpendicular to the bottom perimeter edge, are stitched beginning at the bottom perimeter edge and ending midway up the front of the upper body garment, further affixing the two layers together; wherein creating three hidden compartment areas across the front and back of the garment, in between the layers, that can be accessed by the wearer.
 2. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the front neckline perimeter edges of the layers are completely unaffixed between the attachment points and; wherein, the right and left front armhole perimeter edges of the layers are completely unaffixed between the attachment points; wherein, the wearer can access the interior portion of the said garment from any point along the open perimeter edges of the neckline and any point along either armhole perimeter edges.
 3. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is reversible, meaning either of the said layers can be worn in direct contact with the body of the wearer and either side of the said layers can be worn facing outward.
 4. The upper body garment of claim 1 that is void of any breast support structure or breast accommodating features that would limit the use to females only, but instead accommodate wearers of any gender.
 5. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the materials used to construct the said upper body garment are, at least in part, considered sustainable and eco-friendly.
 6. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the wearer is provided with a method to securely conceal personal items in hidden compartments which are designed to limit said items from movement and protect said items from malfunction.
 7. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the wearer has the ability to transfer personal items from one hidden compartment in between the layers of the garment to another hidden compartment in between the layers of the garment without being required to completely remove the said item from the garment, wherein protecting the identification of the said items and the privacy of the wearer. 